Corey
OverCamping Specialist
Moving in with mother nature.
FJ vs Tacoma vs 4Runner
- Thread starter some_dude
- Start date
2025 deleted member
Well-known member
So thats what I tell my wife to convince her I "need" all that stuff.
Rockfish
New member
The visibility "problem"....try driving my wife mini convertible. lol. My only visibility problem is backing up at night, which I mention before. fixed with aux. back up lights.
I guess it is hard for me to be objective about the back sits space. I have one child (10) so It has been easy for me. I love the fact that they can't open the door. As far as the space we have a mimi and and FJ. Not much to compare it too. I will say this. My daughters friends love riding on the FJ and the mini with the top down.
I guess it is hard for me to be objective about the back sits space. I have one child (10) so It has been easy for me. I love the fact that they can't open the door. As far as the space we have a mimi and and FJ. Not much to compare it too. I will say this. My daughters friends love riding on the FJ and the mini with the top down.
targa88
Explorer
Coastsider,
It is the first "prototype" that Steve ever made for an FJC. Made it three years ago (IIRC)
You would have to contact them directly.
WeppsRunner
New member
I went from a 2003 Tacoma Extracab TRD to a 2005 Tacoma TRD Offroad Double cab with 6 speed to a 2008 FJC to a 2010 4Runner Trail Edition.
Loved the 2003 Tacoma but with the wife expecting we traded it in for a 2005 Tacoma. I wasn't as impressed with the 2005 Tacoma as I was with the 2003. We traded in the Tacoma for the FJC and it served it's purpose. Wife and I got used to the atrocious blind spots but were never really comfortable with them. When the little one started getting older you could tell he wasn't thrilled with climbing in and out of the FJC and really disliked the fact that he had to look out of what amounts to an airline window. I liked the ease of cleaning the FJC and was impressed with it and my only real gripe was with the fact when the rear seats were laid down they weren't flush with the rear cargo floor. On to the 4Runner... Holy ******T it's pretty sweet. It's as capable if not more capable off highway than the FJC. On road manners with the KDSS makes a world of difference as well off highway increased articulation. Full 4 doors and the rear seats fold flat to the cargo area so if I ever want to crash out in the back, I can without the silly lip in the FJC. I've put a 3" OME suspension on it, ARB bar with a Warn winch, she's been places a lifted and front/rear locked 3rd Gen 4Runner couldn't go.
Say what you will but even using mirrors the blind spots still suck. Don't forget about the windshield... First up to a red light and lean over the steering wheel to see when it turns green.
I traded in a FJC for one and haven't looked back. It's very capable, comfortable and IMHO the better of the currently offered Tacoma or FJC.
Loved the 2003 Tacoma but with the wife expecting we traded it in for a 2005 Tacoma. I wasn't as impressed with the 2005 Tacoma as I was with the 2003. We traded in the Tacoma for the FJC and it served it's purpose. Wife and I got used to the atrocious blind spots but were never really comfortable with them. When the little one started getting older you could tell he wasn't thrilled with climbing in and out of the FJC and really disliked the fact that he had to look out of what amounts to an airline window. I liked the ease of cleaning the FJC and was impressed with it and my only real gripe was with the fact when the rear seats were laid down they weren't flush with the rear cargo floor. On to the 4Runner... Holy ******T it's pretty sweet. It's as capable if not more capable off highway than the FJC. On road manners with the KDSS makes a world of difference as well off highway increased articulation. Full 4 doors and the rear seats fold flat to the cargo area so if I ever want to crash out in the back, I can without the silly lip in the FJC. I've put a 3" OME suspension on it, ARB bar with a Warn winch, she's been places a lifted and front/rear locked 3rd Gen 4Runner couldn't go.
Say what you will but even using mirrors the blind spots still suck. Don't forget about the windshield... First up to a red light and lean over the steering wheel to see when it turns green.
I traded in a FJC for one and haven't looked back. It's very capable, comfortable and IMHO the better of the currently offered Tacoma or FJC.
4Rocker
Observer
Back in 2008 I was making a similar choice between an FJ, 4Runner, and single cab tacoma to replace my 84 4Runner. I dont think you could go wrong with any of the three, and they all have their pros and cons. I chose the FJ and am still quite happy with the decision today. The things that drove me to the FJ were the availability of a manual transmission, short wheelbase, good approach angles, great 4wd system w/elocker, a VIN that begins with a J, interior design/functionality, and the unique style. Criticizing the FJ on lack of roominess is just ridiculous (sit in an H3 or JK!). I am 6'2" and fit great in the front and rear seats of the truck, and have plenty of headroom even wearing a hat. The FJ is a great tourer for 2 people, and its nice to have the capability to carry a couple extra people. The only thing I dont like about the FJ is that the folded rear seatbacks arent level with the cargo floor which rules out sleeping in the truck for me. The new 4Runner trail is a nice option, but about the only thing that would get me out of the FJ right now would be a 5 door 70 series LC (if it were available here 
).
Basically get what best fits your lifestyle and travel goals and get out and enjoy it!
Gratuitous truck photos: Maine and Colorado
).Basically get what best fits your lifestyle and travel goals and get out and enjoy it!
Gratuitous truck photos: Maine and Colorado
Danimal
Adventurer
My father owned an FJC and my 6'0" self fit just fine in the back seat for extended trips. I couldn't see crap (which is a bummer in WA state) and it was a pain to get in and out of. I don't think lack of room is an appropriate gripe with this vehicle, just accessibility and visibility for rear seat passengers. He ended up getting rid of the FJC and now has a sweet 80 series Cruiser that he seems to have some kind of *special* relationship with.
But this thread needs some Tacoma love.
I have a 2011 Tacoma double cab which doesn't really have any more room in the back seat than an FJC, but it has fantastic visibility. I took 4 other grown men to a basketball game 1.5 hours away last night. Everyone was comfortable - but there wasn't any room to spare. Front seat passenger and driver (myself) had our knees in the dash. This is one of the rare times that a 4Runner would have been great.
Anyway, I love my truck. It has the same interior space as my 3rd gen 4Runner, but it is significantly more comfortable and the interior is very utilitarian. I love the bed, the engine is awesome, it seriously rides and handles like a car on road. If camping/overlanding is your thing, you can set up the bed any number of ways to haul stuff and provide sleeping space.
Dan
But this thread needs some Tacoma love.
I have a 2011 Tacoma double cab which doesn't really have any more room in the back seat than an FJC, but it has fantastic visibility. I took 4 other grown men to a basketball game 1.5 hours away last night. Everyone was comfortable - but there wasn't any room to spare. Front seat passenger and driver (myself) had our knees in the dash. This is one of the rare times that a 4Runner would have been great.
Anyway, I love my truck. It has the same interior space as my 3rd gen 4Runner, but it is significantly more comfortable and the interior is very utilitarian. I love the bed, the engine is awesome, it seriously rides and handles like a car on road. If camping/overlanding is your thing, you can set up the bed any number of ways to haul stuff and provide sleeping space.
Dan
WheelyAddicted
New member
I think we're all missing an obvious choice here. What, no love for the first gen 4Runner? :bike_rider: I pulled the carpet in the rear so I have a bare pickup floor for the dirty stuff. Top comes off if I'm carrying big items. Soon I'll start building my rear storage/sleeping platform where the seat (get this) folds flat into the floor. :drool:
This is my second Yota but I've been a fan of them since the day they released the first Back to the Future. That truck was my first love and my new (to me) Runner looks oddly similar. My last Yota was a '99 Taco which I loved. It was a 4x4 TRD access cab with the e-locker, V6 with a 5-speed. It was lifted, ARB'd, all that jazz. Finally had to trade it in for a fullsize when I was building homes and needed to pull a large trailer. Now that I've downsized (my ride and my budget) I love my first gen. The past year and a half of ownership has been spent rebuilding all the vitals. Now that most of that is taken care of it's time for an OME lift and new tires/wheels.
What's my favorite thing about my 4Runner? The fact that it's paid for! :victory: What's my least favorite feature? The incredibly durable (mine has 360k on the truck) but WAY underpowered 22re.
This is my second Yota but I've been a fan of them since the day they released the first Back to the Future. That truck was my first love and my new (to me) Runner looks oddly similar. My last Yota was a '99 Taco which I loved. It was a 4x4 TRD access cab with the e-locker, V6 with a 5-speed. It was lifted, ARB'd, all that jazz. Finally had to trade it in for a fullsize when I was building homes and needed to pull a large trailer. Now that I've downsized (my ride and my budget) I love my first gen. The past year and a half of ownership has been spent rebuilding all the vitals. Now that most of that is taken care of it's time for an OME lift and new tires/wheels.
What's my favorite thing about my 4Runner? The fact that it's paid for! :victory: What's my least favorite feature? The incredibly durable (mine has 360k on the truck) but WAY underpowered 22re.
i think the FJ is (maybe) a little better off road. i think it’s a little smaller than the new 4 runners.
i have a 2007 tacoma DCSB trd off road. and love it. have not done much at all to it. about to start stuff this summer. my best friend wes has a ’11 trail team. and i love it as well. their are thinks the FJ is better at and things my tacoma is better for. 1, if you have kids around 8 to 13 i would say a Tacoma double cab would be better. also the bed gives you more room for gear. if you get a custom roof rack made. i bet you could put 300 pounds of gear on it.
even tho i have a 5 foot bed. and am drawing a roof rack up. i really want to make a expo trailer. one reason is if i crashed my truck(witch i hope never happens) i still have the trailer to tow behind what ever i get. witch just MAYBE be an FJ.
i have a 2007 tacoma DCSB trd off road. and love it. have not done much at all to it. about to start stuff this summer. my best friend wes has a ’11 trail team. and i love it as well. their are thinks the FJ is better at and things my tacoma is better for. 1, if you have kids around 8 to 13 i would say a Tacoma double cab would be better. also the bed gives you more room for gear. if you get a custom roof rack made. i bet you could put 300 pounds of gear on it.
even tho i have a 5 foot bed. and am drawing a roof rack up. i really want to make a expo trailer. one reason is if i crashed my truck(witch i hope never happens) i still have the trailer to tow behind what ever i get. witch just MAYBE be an FJ.
Ramjet
Explorer
Visibility Issue.
I can understand the visibility issue to a point. But....I have owned my FJ for 4 years now and I know I made the right decision in the purchase. It has the right size for my wife, son and 100 pound Lab with room to spare. We have taken it on all of our trips no matter where that may lead and it has never failed to get us there and back. But if visibility was the one thing that turned you off of the FJ, you haven't driven enough cars in your life to realize that it's not as bad as most compact trucks, cars and SUV's. It is what it is and you do get used to it and it will become a non issue once you get your mirrors situated. My wife's last car was an Acura TSX and it had way worse visibility issues that you can shake a stick at. Thanks.
I can understand the visibility issue to a point. But....I have owned my FJ for 4 years now and I know I made the right decision in the purchase. It has the right size for my wife, son and 100 pound Lab with room to spare. We have taken it on all of our trips no matter where that may lead and it has never failed to get us there and back. But if visibility was the one thing that turned you off of the FJ, you haven't driven enough cars in your life to realize that it's not as bad as most compact trucks, cars and SUV's. It is what it is and you do get used to it and it will become a non issue once you get your mirrors situated. My wife's last car was an Acura TSX and it had way worse visibility issues that you can shake a stick at. Thanks.
yeah they have allot of room, and the rubber flooring is very nice. one reason i got tacoma over FJ is because i thought i would be taking my dirt bike more places. i have only put my bike in the bed one time. kinda wish i would have got the FJ instead.
Wicked 2007
Observer
who makes the bed rack?